As was the custom, the school year ended a lot sooner for high school seniors than for younger classes. Not only was there the usual graduation from Lyre High School, but the first senior class from the Worldwide School of Animalia was graduating too. Neither ceremony seemed like the right size, what with so many students having transferred to WSA. But with a third school being built to accommodate both humans and Animalians for next year, things will be more even with the next graduation.
The graduation ceremony did get a fairly decent amount of attention, mostly because they were the first students graduating from there. It didn't quite get as much attention from Animalia Ambassadoria, mostly because they weren't as familiar with the students in this year's class. The one that they knew the best would be Beth Jonson. The second closest were Ava and Steve, but they didn't know them very personally. Still, Beth had drawn a lot of attention, what with her being Miss Zodiac with this year's Chinese Zodiac pageant.
Principal Eliza Marigold was also there, not that she wouldn't miss her bond-mate's graduation, but she also had a speech to give for the graduation class. "It seems like such a short time that we've been together," said Principal Marigold, "Sometimes a year seems a lot shorter than it actually is. Though you've only graced our school halls for such a short time, you have brought a lot of light with you. You are a proof of concept, that a school for Animalians can work. But I know there are those who miss the friends they left behind when they transferred to this school. In trying to accommodate everyone, we've created a gulf. We want to know the world to see that humans and Animalians should be together, not apart. But take heart in knowing that next year, we will be reuniting classmates at our new facility. And there will be a place for both humans and Animalians in the Pi Eta Tau co-ed fraternity at Las Vegas University for those who wish to go there.
"But most of all, what I hope most for our graduating class of 2018 is that they can all find their own place in the world, without fear of persecution or discomfort. The world is opening up for you and you are the first in what will be a long line of achievements. I am very proud to have had you all in my school and I hope you'll remember your brief time here with fondness. Congratulations, class of 2018!" There was quite a lot of applause at that.
Eventually, the graduates went up to receive their diplomas as 'Pomp and Circumstances' played. As Beth walked up, there was quite a bit of cheering from her family. A lot of people were expecting her to kiss Eliza on the stage, she had told Beth to hold herself. While Beth may be graduating, it would still be a bit unseemly for the principal to make out with a student.
Of course, that didn't apply to after the ceremony. Once it was over and the other graduates were milling around, Eliza and Beth found a quiet corner to have a little post-graduation make-out. As Beth was getting a bit more pawsy, Eliza broke off for a minute. "Don't get me too out of order," said Eliza as she straightened her jacket, "I do need to talk to people afterwards, you know."
"Well, you can be as disorderly with me as you like," said Beth with a roguish grin.
Eliza gave her a disapproving look and said, "You are wearing something under that robe, right?"
"Of course I am," said Beth. Not quite believing her, Eliza pulled back Beth's robe, revealing she was just wearing a bra and panties. "I am wearing something, I didn't say I was wearing a lot," said Beth without shame.
Eliza rolled her eyes as she lower Beth's robe. "What am I going to do with you?" she muttered.
"Anything you want. I'm a graduate now," said Beth.
"You could be doing more with your life. You don't still want to be a bounty hunter, do you?" asked Eliza.
"Well...actually, I've kinda gotten tired of being pegged with all the 'mean Doberman' stereotypes," said Beth, "I mean, bounty hunting sounds exciting, but I wanna do something where people aren't expecting me to bite their heads off. So I was actually looking at management and stuff."
"I thought you don't want people thinking you'd bite their head off," said Eliza teasingly, booping Beth's nose.
"Oh like you don't do that kind of stuff as a principal," said Beth. Then she perked up, "Hey, maybe I can be a principal. I could even be your vice-principal."
"Ambitious, aren't you?" asked Eliza, "Well, there's plenty of time to think about that before college in the fall. We should be enjoying summer while we can." Eliza could already think of the vacations the two of them to go together on, how they'll plan Beth's college goals towards the end of summer. And hopefully the sound of wedding bells won't be too far away in the future.